In a major step toward institutional modernization, the Senate of Pakistan on Monday hosted a high-level workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI), aiming to integrate cutting-edge digital tools into the country’s legislative processes.
Held here at Parliament House on Monday under the EU-funded Mustehkam Parlimaan project, the session titled ‘Digital Transformation: Strategic Opportunities and Challenges for Lawmakers’ brought together Senators, diplomats, AI experts, and media professionals.
The event was organized by the Office of the Advisor to the Chairman Senate on Special Initiatives and the Parliamentary Development Unit (PDU), as part of a pound 15 million EU grant, jointly implemented by GIZ and the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS). Over 60 participants, including Senators and parliamentary staff, attended the session.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Riina Kionka, addressed the gathering and underscored the EU’s leadership in responsible AI legislation. ‘Artificial Intelligence is reshaping societies globally, but this transformation must be guided by democratic values,’ she said. ‘The European Union is proud to support the Senate of Pakistan in its digital journey through the Mustehkam Parlimaan Project.’
Ms Rida Qazi, Advisor to the Chairman Senate, emphasized the importance of AI literacy among lawmakers.
‘We are moving from exploration to integration,’ she said, highlighting the Senate’s ongoing initiatives such as the Parliamentary ChatBot aimed at enhancing legislative efficiency and responsiveness. Secretary Senate Syed Hasnain Haider reiterated the institution’s commitment to modern governance and service delivery, calling the workshop a milestone in the Senate’s digital evolution.
Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, in his keynote address, thanked the EU Mission for its continued partnership, noting past successes such as the establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office. ‘Embracing digital governance is no longer a matter of if-but how and when,’ he said. ‘Pakistan’s Senate is proud to be the first in the region to commission an indigenous AI-powered chatbot for lawmakers, enhancing access to legislative records and improving public service.’
He emphasized the role of AI in combating disinformation, improving citizen engagement, and strengthening democratic governance. ‘Our goal is to ensure that AI tools reflect democratic values, transparency, and institutional integrity,’ he added. The session featured an AI literacy segment, including a demonstration of an AI agent designed to automate document handling, streamline workflows, and enable multilingual access.
Participants were also introduced to the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, which serves as a global model for responsible AI use. Renowned journalists Talat Hussain, Amir Ghauri, and Aisha Nawaz Choudhry led a panel discussion on AI’s role in media, ethics, and disinformation. The discussion highlighted both opportunities and concerns-such as bias, transparency, and accountability-that must be addressed proactively by Parliament.
Dr Basit Riaz Sheikh, AI expert and senior consultant to the Mustehkam Parlimaan project, briefed attendees on the growing importance of AI in parliamentary settings. He showcased the EU’s model legislation on AI and outlined strategies for using technology to enhance service delivery and institutional efficiency.
As Pakistan’s Parliament continues its digital transformation, the Senate’s latest AI initiative underscores its intent to lead from the front-leveraging technology not just for modernization, but for deeper democratic engagement and better governance.